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Piatra Neamţ

Piatra Neamț
County capital
15th century Stephen's Tower (the city symbol) in the medieval town square
15th century Stephen's Tower (the city symbol) in the medieval town square
Coat of arms of Piatra Neamț
Coat of arms
Nickname(s): Pearl of Moldavia
(Romanian: Perla Moldovei)
Location of Piatra Neamț
Location of Piatra Neamț
Coordinates: 46°55′39″N 26°22′15″E / 46.92750°N 26.37083°E / 46.92750; 26.37083Coordinates: 46°55′39″N 26°22′15″E / 46.92750°N 26.37083°E / 46.92750; 26.37083
Country  Romania
County Neamț County
Status County capital
Government
 • Mayor Dragoș Chitic (interim) (PNL)
Area
 • Total 77.4 km2 (29.9 sq mi)
Population (2011 census)
 • Total 85,055
 • Density 1,099/km2 (2,850/sq mi)
Time zone EET (UTC+2)
 • Summer (DST) EEST (UTC+3)
Website http://www.viziteazapiatraneamt.ro
Sister cities: Roanne, Villerest, Mably, Riorges, Alpharetta, Hliboca, Orhei, Kiryat Malachi, Lod, Beinasco, Manilva

Piatra Neamț (Romanian pronunciation: [ˈpjatra ˈne̯amt͡s]), German: Kreuzburg an der Bistritz, Hungarian: Karácsonkő) is the capital city of Neamț County, in the historical region of Moldavia, eastern Romania. Because of its privileged location in the Eastern Carpathian mountains, it is considered one of the most picturesque cities in Romania. The Nord-Est Regional Development Agency is located in Piatra Neamț.

The piatra toponym (meaning rock in Romanian) was always part of the settlement's name throughout its history. Other names that the city has been called are: Piatra lui Crăciun (Christmas Rock, thus also corresponding to the Hungarian name of the city, "Karácson-Kő"); Târgu Piatra (Rock Fair, Rock Market) (in the Middle Ages) or simply Piatra to which was added the county name Neamț (Neamț = German), to distinguish it from towns in other counties of the same name.

Piatra Neamț lies in the Bistrița River Valley, surrounded by mountains - Pietricica (590 m), Cozla (679 m), Cernegura (852 m), Bâtca Doamnei (462 m) and Cârloman (617 m), at an average height of 345 m (1,131.89 ft).

The city is located 350 kilometres (217 miles) north of Bucharest, in the historical region of Moldavia. The nearest airport is Bacău, situated at 60 km (37 miles) south. Piatra Neamț is linked by Romanian railway trunk number 509 to Bucharest and Iași, and by DN15 national road to Bacău (therefore DN2 to Bucharest), Iași, Suceava, and Târgu Mureș (Transylvania).


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